Ukraine still waiting for Norway's promised F-16 jets
Photo: Norway's promised F-16s stuck in maintenance facility (Getty Images)
Where the jets are now
Of the six F-16s Norway pledged to deliver to Ukraine, none are currently combat-ready:
- Two aircraft were used to train Ukrainian pilots in Denmark. They have been undergoing maintenance at Sabena in Belgium for over a year.
- The other four were unable to fly at the time of transfer. In April 2025, they were transported from Bodø by cargo plane, disassembled and packed in crates. They also ended up at Sabena.
An adviser to the Ukrainian Air Force told NRK that the four disassembled aircraft are missing around 100 parts. Reassembling them will take about a year if work begins now.
NRK also reported major capacity issues at Sabena’s workshop, which are seen as the main reason for the delay.
It also emerged that 32 Norwegian F-16s in the best condition had earlier been sold to Romania. Ukraine received lower-quality aircraft that required significant repairs.
What Norway says
"These six aircraft could have saved lives and better protected infrastructure this winter. We would have been able to shoot down more Russian missiles and drones," a source in the Ukrainian Air Force said.
Peter Frølich, head of the defense committee in Norway’s parliament, called the situation a scandal.
"This looks like a scandal. I’m genuinely angry. Most people in Norway believed the Norwegian aircraft were already in the air defending Ukraine," he told NRK.
Defense Minister Sandvik said ownership of all six aircraft was transferred to Ukraine in 2024–2025. Priorities for repairs at Sabena are determined by Ukraine in consultation with donor countries.
Meanwhile, Russia is using the absence of the Norwegian F-16s for propaganda purposes, attempting to push narratives about the ineffectiveness of Western aid.
Norway is also preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine. In addition to ammunition for aircraft, it will include other types of weapons and financial support.
